State Boards for the Professions

The Board of Regents, on the
recommendation of the Commissioner of Education, appoints a State Board
for each licensed profession to advise and assist the Board of Regents
and the State Education Department on matters of professional regulation.
The Board of Regents also appoints a Committee for Professional Assistance
to advise them on matters relating to practice by professional licensees
with alcohol or other drug abuse problems. The 29 State Boards for the
Professions and the Committee for Professional Assistance are comprised
of professional members and one or more representatives of the general
public. The composition of
each board and the Committee is specified in Title
VIII of Education Law. In addition, Board and Committee composition
should reflect the State's regions, cultural diversity, and the various
aspects of the professions.

Professional board members must be New York State-licensed professionals
who are residents of the State. For many boards, professional member appointees
must have at least five years of experience. Committee members are not
required to be licensed professionals.

Every State Board must also have at least one public representative (and
in some cases up to five public members), who is a consumer of services
of the profession(s) on which the board advises. The individual must be
a New York State resident and meet various requirements to ensure that
the public perspective is not compromised.

All professional and public members of the State Boards and the Committee
for Professional Assistance must be dedicated to public protection and
quality professional preparation and conduct. Depending on the particular
board, members of the State Boards advise on licensing requirements, licensing
examinations and practice issues, and provide community outreach, as well
as participate in licensure disciplinary and/or restoration and moral character
proceedings. Members of the Committee for Professional Assistance advise
on matters relating to impaired practice, administer the Professional Assistance
Program, and serve on panels for Program admission or professional license
reinstatement.

A board or committee member is appointed for a five-year term and may
be reappointed for a second term; receives an honorarium and is reimbursed
for basic expenses. The number of meetings, professional discipline proceedings,
etc. varies from board to board.

Nominations for membership on all State Boards, as well as the Committee
for Professional Assistance, are accepted continuously. For details about
the responsibilities and needs of a particular board/committee, please
contact the
respective executive secretary.

Applications for board membership may be submitted directly by interested
individuals, or nominations may be made by colleagues, professional associations,
consumer groups, etc. All nominees will receive full consideration for
current and expected board vacancies. The Office strives to have board
composition reflect the State's judicial districts, New York's cultural
diversity, and the various aspects of the profession(s). Nominations of
and applications from individuals with diverse
backgrounds and individuals
with disabilities are encouraged. Submit nominations or applications for
board membership to the appropriate board office.

Board Nomination Form (
23 KB)
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